Where Do You Seek Counsel?

 

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

  

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

 Matthew 6:33

 

Why is it that we try to figure things out on our own, when our Counsel is only a prayer away?

Is it because of the free will God has given us, the choice to make our own decisions? 

Whenever I think I know what I should do, I should pause and ask my Counselor.

I should try to discern if what I am choosing is God's will for me. 

And then, I need to really listen and believe it. 

Most times, I want to call the shots. I want to make my choices, and they're not always the ones my Lord wants for me. Usually, I pay the price, and it's never pleasant. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to hear Your Voice, to discern Your Will, and to follow the path You've laid out for me (rather than charging ahead on my own). Thank you for loving me, and for always being there, even when I mess up. I am forever grateful to know you are near. Amen. 

For your listening enjoyment, the Marantha Singers perform "Seek Ye First" 

Music is a beautiful way to worship God.

If you've ever wondered why we worship, here's a quote I came across that sums it up pretty well:  "Worship is a way of gladly reflecting back to God the radiance of His worth." ~ John Piper, preacher and author 

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The Joy of Singing Praises

 

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

"I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving."

Psalm 69:30

"I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever."

Psalm 86:12

Friends who know me well, know that singing praises to the Lord is my one of my greatest joys. People comment that I smile so much when I sing, and I tell them I can't help it! My joy is evident and there for all to see.

 

It was my honor and great delight to sing Laudamus te from Vivaldi's Gloria for our congregation today as special music. My friend Wendy sang this beautiful duet with me, sharing our joy and love of the Lord. 

Before I sing, I pray that God will empty me of me, of my own selfish pride, of any vanity I might feel, and pray that He will fill me with His Holy Spirit. Then, as I sing, God's love -- through His Spirit, pours out from me. This in turn blesses those who are willing to receive, and I am blessed in the process, too!  

It is a wonderful cycle, and to be a part of sharing God's love in this way blesses me beyond description. If I could, I would sing for Him every day of my life!

Laudamus te

 Benedicimus te

 Adoramus te 

 Glorificamus te 

We praise thee
 We bless thee
We worship thee

We glorify thee

Through the process of rehearsing this song, I've enjoyed this recording of the duet. 

I thought I'd share this with you today. Enjoy!

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We are Free to Love

 Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

"Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before.
   
 Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining."
1 John 2:7-8 NLT 


 A beautiful reminder of the freedom we have in Christ, sung by Aaron Shust
"We are Free"

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Lead Me to the Cross

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

It is beyond my comprehension, 

 to imagine my Savior in his humanness, 

Carrying His Cross 

to Calvary Hill.

His ultimate sacrifice

has freed us forever.

"There is no greater love 

than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

 Mark 15:13 (NLT)

As we enter Holy Week, let us keep our eyes fixed on the cross.

Never forgetting

the Love that saved us

and set us free

from the bondage of sin. 

Today's worship song is "Lead Me to the Cross", and this version is by Chris & Conrad

It's a little bit more rockin' than Hillsong's version, but I like it - Enjoy!

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We Must Press On

Sunday Scriptures

and a

Song

"All your words are true;
    all your righteous laws are eternal."
Psalm 119:160 (NIV)

We can believe in the Word of God,
And Trust in His precepts.

 We should understand that we are never alone.
God is always with us.

 He sent His son to teach us.
He sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in us.
He gave us His Word to guide us along our way.

If we keep our focus on the teachings of God, 
His laws and His Word;
and not on the ways of the world,
 We will know our path
And find our way.

We will know God's peace
and His companionship
as we walk through each day. 

So, despite hardships,
and fears and trials,
We must press on.

Knowing that God walks alongside us, 
no matter what we must face.

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.   
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)

Please enjoy this upbeat song that helps us remember that we must keep trying, and that we don't have to do it alone. Building 429 (featuring Blanca Callahan) "Press On"

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From the Depths of the Pit

Photo Courtesy of Ed & Bunny Cooke - Ubehebe Crater, Death Valley

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

"I called on your name, Lord,
    from the depths of the pit. 

You heard my plea:

  'Do not close your ears    

 to my cry for relief.^'

 You came near when I called you,

and you said, 'Do not fear.' "

Lamentations 3:55-57

Each of us has been there; in the depths of the pit of despair, hopelessness, utter loss and defeat. That time of your life that could be called the dark night of the soul. 

When all we can see is darkness, instinctively we reach for the light; and that Light is God's hand reaching out to us. For even in the depths of despair, we are never truly alone. God is always with us, and He is just a breath away. 

Cry out to Him. Tell him all your fears; share your pain. Take His hand, and begin to find your way. 

When you are at your lowest, the only way to go is up. God will lift you up. Reach out to Him. Let God's love rescue you from your pain, from your sorrow. His love will light the way as you begin to find your way out of the darkness.

Trust in His love. He will lift you up.

Listen to this song of Hope from the Afters, "Lift Me Up"

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What is Your Worth?

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

"What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.  And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.  So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."

Matthew 10:29-31 (NLT)

We have all been there. That place where we question our worthiness. Where we question our value, or wonder if we are loved. That place of uncertainty where we wonder, "What's next?" 

One thing is certain. We should never underestimate our value to God. He loves us all so much that He sent His son to the Earth, to live among His people and teach us right living, and ultimately gave His life so that we might know eternal life with God. His gift of love is immeasurable.

When the uncertainties of this world creep into our lives, we must remember our worth is not measured by what is valued by people here on earth. Our worth is measured only by the One who has known us since before we were born; the One with whom we will share eternity. Only God can judge us, and He knows our true worth. He loves us, despite our human frailties. 

The Scripture verses above are from a passage where Jesus is sending out His Disciples. He gives them many instructions, and urges them to not be afraid. 

Likewise, we should not be afraid of the trials that come our way. Trust in God. Know that He watches over you with loving care. His eye is on the sparrow, and He watches you, too. Blessings, my friends.

Audrey Assad is one of my favorite female Christian artists. She wrote a fun, modern rendition of a traditional hymn and simply called it "Sparrow". I love to sing this song, and when I do, joy bubbles up inside me and makes me smile while I sing. What joy to know our God loves us!

I'm sharing this lovely song with you all today.

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It would be fun to let us know your favorite hymn, or what reminders of God's great love make you smile. Please share in the comments, below. You may post anonymously, if you prefer. Thanks! 

Everlasting God

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

"Have you never heard?
    Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
    No one can measure the depths of his understanding."

Isaiah 40:28 

How great is our God, that He can exist from everlasting to everlasting; His covenant remains. 

How blessed we are to know our God intimately, to be able to trust our lives to His purpose for us; to be able to follow His will and know we are being led by His love for us. 

Rejoice that we can know this relationship, and celebrate with joy!

Our song today is written by Joel Houston of Hillsong. I've chosen the vocal arrangement by pastors Phillips, Craig and Dean because I love their harmonies. This song is heartfelt, and celebrates our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Enjoy "From the Inside Out"

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Blessings on your Sabbath, my friends.

An Anchor for Our Souls

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

Where do you turn when the storms of life are raging? 

 "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, 

firm and secure." 

Hebrews 6:19a

When our HOPE is secure in Christ, we can be strong in the knowledge that we are securely anchored to the Rock of our salvation. 

No matter what storms rage in our lives, though the waves crash all around us, the one thing we can feel secure in is our relationship with Christ. 

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." 

Hebrews 13:8

What a comfort to know that even though life is ever-changing, our relationship with Jesus will never falter. 

What a wonderful promise!

Here's a new song by Michael W. Smith "You Won't Let Go"

Enjoy! 

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Hope Springs Anew

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

 "See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland." 
Isaiah 43:19 NIV

Anyone who attended my Women's Winter Retreat saw this scripture on the cover of our event folder. It's truly one of my favorites. It reminds me that the joy I know in my life is all because God has made me new, over and over again. 

The life-giving energy of a spring bubbling up through to the surface of the earth is a beautiful analogy for the love of God breaking through the barriers we place in our lives. Only God can bring life when hope has died.

When we finally realize that we can't navigate this life alone, and our hearts feel like a wilderness, God's life-giving force can fill us with hope and give us the will to keep trying. 

Water carves through the crust of the earth, creating small creeks, which grow into raging rivers. Water is a life-giving force, and Jesus is the living water in our lives, giving us life and energy and forward motion.

Drink from the well of Salvation. Know His peace. Be well, my friends.

Enjoy our song today, by Matt Maher. Come to the Water.

 

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When You Need a New Perspective

Sunday Scripture

and a

Song

"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. " Jeremiah 33:3 (NLT)

Do you ever reach out to a friend to help you understand a situation you are in? Last night, confounded by emotions I didn't expect from an email response, I reached out to my closest friend (who knew of the situation) and we shared our thoughts. It was so helpful to have another perspective, and my close relationship with my friend made her available to me and she was my first thought when I needed help with the problem.

Jesus can be that friend for us, too. And it's all about relationship. If we keep that relationship going, through daily prayer and conversations with God, we will know that we can come to Him with any problem or thought or idea and He will be our sounding board. And if we can be still for awhile, we may even know a response to our situation, through a nudging of the spirit, a song on the radio, or words from a friend. God uses many ways to reach our inner spirit to give us guidance.

When I have a big decision to make in my life, I call on Jesus. I talk with Him and I walk with Him and I pray for His guidance in my decision making. You see, I want it to be what God knows is best for me, not just what I want. And while it may be very difficult to discern what God's will is for me, I can usually tell if my motives are self-driven or of the Spirit. It just takes time and patience to discern the difference, and lots of self-reflection.

Call out to Him. Pray what your heart longs to know. Ask, and He will answer. And then, if you're like me, you may be awed by an overwhelming feeling, a feeling of knowing One so mighty would come to my aid and give me direction in my life.

I hope you enjoy our video today. It's a song by JJ Weeks that is getting a lot air play on the radio this week. I can't seem to get its message off of my mind. While the message may not coincide directly with the Bible verse today, it's sort of the other side of the conversation. While I reach out to God for guidance in my life, I want to reflect Him back into the lives I touch. That's the theme of our song, "Let Them See You" 

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 May you find blessings through your intimate conversations, my friends.